STRATEGIC PLAN TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE IN THE CASE OF THE REALIGNMENT OF A MEDICAL FACILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT.

SEC. 126. STRATEGIC PLAN TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE IN THE CASE OF THE REALIGNMENT OF A MEDICAL FACILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT.(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that the Veterans Health Administration should ensure that veterans do not experience a lapse of care when transitioning in receiving care due to the realignment of a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Development of Strategic Plan.—(1) In general.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care, the Chief Strategy Office, the Office of Asset Enterprise Management, or any successor office that has similar and related functions, shall develop and periodically update a strategic plan to ensure continuity of health care through care furnished at a facility of the Department or through the Community Care Program for veterans impacted by the realignment of a medical facility of the Department. (2) Elements.—The strategic plan required under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, the following:(A) An assessment of the progress of the Department in identifying impending realignments of medical facilities of the Department and the impact of such realignments on access of veterans to care, including any impact on the network of health care providers under the Community Care Program. (B) The progress of the Department in establishing operated sites of care and related activities to address the impact of such a realignment. (C) An outline of collaborative actions and processes the Department can take to address potential gaps in health care created by such a realignment, including actions and processes to be taken by the Office of Integrated Veteran Care, the Chief Strategy Office, and the Office of Asset Enterprise Management of the Department. (D) A description of how the Department can identify to Third Party Administrators changes in the catchment areas of medical facilities to be realigned and develop a process with Third Party Administrators to strengthen provider coverage in advance of such realignments. (3) Submittal to congress.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary 136 STAT. 5419 for Health of the Department shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives the plan developed under paragraph (1). (c) Definitions.—In this section:(1) Community care program.—The term “Community Care Program” means the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code. (2) Realignment.—The term “realignment”, with respect to a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs, includes—(A) any action that changes the number of facilities or relocates services, functions, or personnel positions; and (B) strategic collaborations between the Department and non-Federal Government entities, including tribal organizations and Urban Indian Organizations. (3) Third party administrator.—The term “Third Party Administrator” means an entity that manages a provider network and performs administrative services related to such network within the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code. (4) Tribal organization.—The term “tribal organization” has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). (5) Urban indian organization.—The term “Urban Indian Organization” has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).